I do not own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir and I am not associated with them in any way.
Innocents, I'm serious. There's language in this. (Pfft. I made a funny…. You'll get it later. Translations are at the end, but you shouldn't need them for context.)
Chapter 2: Rising Action
Marinette paced her balcony anxiously, the skirt of her wine-red dress swirling behind her. It was almost the same color as her suit, maybe a few shades darker, but she wasn't wearing any spots; in an effort to be symbolic. She'd also put on some perfume and a touch more makeup than usual today, despite assuring Tikki that she wasn't just trying to seduce Chat Noir by revealing her identity.
No, she wanted to be friends.
Just friends, hopefully friends.
For all she knew, he could decide he hated her for giving up her powers or didn't like who she was under the mask. But she wanted to be someone he could feel safe with. Someone to talk to. Someone who he knew cared about him. The Guardian was a good man, but he preferred to stay out of their lives as much as possible. Marinette wanted to be there for Chat. Everyday. Whenever she could.
And she couldn't do that as Ladybug.
Just trying to contact him to set up this meeting had been a lesson in just how secure their identities were. Now that she'd made up her mind, she didn't want to wait until their next patrol together; it was nearly a week from now. She knew herself too well; if she waited, she'd overthink it and try to back out. (She'd already thought of at least a dozen other ways to try to maintain a connection to Chat without giving up her Ladybug powers, but each one had their own problems. Masks other than their magical ones could fall off. Secret codes could be broken. Hideouts could be found. Phone numbers could be traced. In the end, it was too much of a headache and she'd decided to go with her original plan.) And it wasn't like she could just try to surprise him on his own patrol tonight; they kept their routes random to throw off their enemies (and rabid fans).
She'd thought about posting something on the Blog, but everybody could see that, and some, like Alya, were sure to figure it out. She'd thought about leaving something in one of their favorite hangouts, like high on the Eiffel Tower, but there were always some enthusiasts who tried to scale monuments in hopes of a great shot of Paris's superheroes. There was a chance her note could be seen by somebody else. She'd thought of trying to use a code, but everything she thought of was way too obvious! She couldn't even use codenames—she didn't know if Marinette was the only girl he'd dubbed "princess."
So, she'd been reduced to begging her reluctant kwami for help and leaving a message on the magical communicators that came as part of their Miraculouses. Tikki had even promised to make sure that Chat's kwami would know that she wanted him to check the message as soon as possible. (Part of her wanted to throttle her kwami for not telling her she could do that earlier, but as they'd both pointed out, Chat probably wouldn't have responded last night anyway.) Tikki had been firm, however, that she not try to reveal herself over the communicator, and had forced her to practice the very simple message that said she wanted to meet above the Dupain-Cheng bakery at sunset. (Somewhere safe, so she could be sure nobody was around who wasn't supposed to be.)
It was sunset. He'd be here soon. She'd chosen this time carefully; it was just before he usually went out. Now she couldn't waffle around the issue, and he had a perfectly good excuse to run away from her if he got too uncomfortable.
God, the wait, though… already her mind had gone through hundreds of scenarios, each one worse than the last. Just breathe, she reminded herself. She took a deep breath.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," a familiar voice purred, waaay too close behind her. She squawked and jumped, whirling around to see Chat Noir crouched on her roof, his green eyes glowing as he grinned shamelessly down at her. He leapt down to land softly on the balcony. "It's been too long." He took her hand and gave it a kiss.
"Hi, Chat Noir," she breathed, taking a moment to look at her partner up close. He looked all right—ok, he looked better than all right, honestly. Master Fu's book on the Miraculous had called the bearer of the Cat Ring "the Devastator," and oh boy, was he. His muscles had filled out over the years. He'd gotten taller. His eyes were as piercing as ever. And that hair—shining like a golden beacon of sin—was longer, wilder; just past his chin, and he hardly ever bothered to put it up anymore. She was so tempted to run her fingers through it... Ok, she needed to stop. She swallowed. Now was not the time to be drooling over him.
"You cut your hair," he said, cocking his head, unaware of her inner turmoil. "I like it." She blushed as she reached up to touch her pixie cut. Her hair was shorter than his now.
"Thanks," she said. "I, uh, actually cut it when Ladybug did that Wigs for Cancer Kids drive a few months ago." A lot of people had. That was the point. Now nobody could make the connection between Marinette cutting her hair and Ladybug suddenly showing up with a new hairstyle. Not even her nosy best friend.
"Ahh," he said in understanding. "Yeah, mine was a bit too short at the time." He laughed, playing with the ends of his hair. "Whatcha think, is it long enough now?"
"I think your fans might kill anyone who came at you with a pair of scissors," she said seriously.
Chat laughed again. "Yeah, we already had that akuma, didn't we? Two, three weeks ago? Running with giant scissors. Not fun. Ah, well. Anyway, Ladybug said she wanted to meet me here?" he asked, looking around expectantly.
"Oh, um, yeah," she said. "C'mon inside." She opened her hatch and led the way inside her room. As much as she wanted to just be done with this whole thing, part of her still didn't want everyone to know she had been Ladybug. And anyone might see them on the balcony. She was sure to catch hell. Especially from a certain best friend…. No. No, she'd show Chat Noir and that would be enough. But to do that… she had to be alone with him. Which was thrilling and terrifying at the same time (emotions which made no sense, because she had been alone with this man more than anyone else in the world, all over the city, and sometimes in very compromising positions).
Just breathe, she reminded herself firmly, as she tried not to think about the implications of having a strange man in her bedroom after dark. Because, in the end, that's what he was. No matter how much she trusted him, he was technically still a stranger. She didn't know his name. Where he lived. Who he hung out with when he wasn't on duty. What he looked like without the mask. How he would react….
"You know, maybe I'll wait for her out—"
She shouldn't be doing this, she thought as her head spun.
So, it was no surprise when she slipped and fell down the last few stairs to land on her butt.
"Whoa, princess!" Chat cried, leaping down beside her to see if she was all right.
"I'm okay," Marinette groaned, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Watch your step, they're treacherous." Ugh. Yup, it'd be better for everyone if she did stop being Ladybug, she thought. She couldn't even navigate her own room! She looked up at Chat to see him trying hard not to laugh at her, his eyes shining with mirth. Yeah, she was never living that down.
"You sure?" he asked, reaching out a hand to her and helping her to her feet. "No injuries?"
"Just my pride," she assured him.
"What an odd place to put it," he remarked, looking at her behind. She gasped and smacked his arm. He laughed and held up his hands in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. I'll try not to look at your… injured pride." He said, grinning. She groaned. This man. Why had she thought this was a good idea again?
"So, when is Ladybug coming?" he asked, looking around her room casually. "Not to be pushy or anything, but I do have to do a patrol here soon."
"I know," she said. "Would you… um, like something to drink?" She asked timidly, holding out a can of his favorite soda. He usually had at least one per patrol, claiming he couldn't drink them at home.
"Thanks, Marinette," he said cheerfully, taking it and opening it. She sighed. He hadn't noticed. Marinette shouldn't know what his favorite soda was. They technically hadn't seen each other in a very long time. He'd drop by her balcony every now and then for cookies or treats from the bakery, but he never came in, always kept it short, and always insisted on paying. They'd never talked about soda. But before she'd realized she was falling for him, he and Ladybug had often joked about how he was growing addicted to them. Then again, it was a major brand. Maybe he just thought she liked it too? Had he mentioned it during an interview? Well, she'd known this wasn't going to be easy. Little hints weren't going to get them anywhere.
The Miraculous's magic smoothed over most of the little things that would ordinarily out them in a moment. People's heads magically turned the other way if they happened to be transforming nearby. Recording devices had a hard time keeping track of them for long (which annoyed Alya to no end). Their voices were somehow different; she didn't think she sounded any different until she'd heard Ladybug talk on TV and had been completely flabbergasted the first time. That was how she sounded? It was so different from her usual recorded voice. She'd noticed her height could change sometimes too, just by a few inches, but enough to be noticeable. (Sometimes she and Chat were almost eye-level, sometimes he towered over her, like he was doing now.) Fans on the Ladyblog argued regularly about what shade of blue her eyes were or how muscular Chat Noir was. You'd think with skin-tight suits, getting their measurements would be a cinch. Apparently not.
She'd been hoping that just her willingness to give up her earrings would've weakened the magic a bit already. She should've known better. This was going to be so awkward. She took a deep breath.
She could do this. She had a plan.
"Actually, Chat Noir, Ladybug isn't coming," Marinette said. He looked at her in surprise. "I'm the one who wanted to talk to you."
"Oh?"
She gulped. Even after all these years, confessing her feelings wasn't easy for her.
Big, scary monster? I got this. Complicated battle plans involving random objects not ordinarily used as weapons? No problem! Simple, straightforward talk about my feelings? No can do.
"I-I… um, I—well, I-I…." She groaned. She sounded thirteen again, for crying out loud! Just spit it out, girl! Alya's voice rang in her head. "Look, I-I realized you might not have anyone to talk to if something came up and— um, well, here I am!"
Yep. Real smooth, Marinette.
Chat blinked at her for a moment and then sighed. "Did Ladybug put you up to this?" he asked, sounding resigned.
"Huh?" she stared at him wildly.
"Ladybug," he repeated, rolling his eyes. "She's been telling me to get a girlfriend for years."
Marinette gaped at him. He thought she'd actually do something like that? But… wait, this might be an opportunity! To have a connection to Chat without her mask, and keep their partnership as it was! She wouldn't have to reveal herself as Ladybug at all!
"I-I-I-I… Well, I mean… would you mind?" she asked timidly. "N-Not that I want to be your girlfriend!" she backtracked when he raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I do! Of course I want you!" He grinned at her and she felt her face flush. "Wait, no! No, I just—just a friend! I could just be a friend! Someone, you know, for you to talk to…." She trailed off as her heart constricted again. This wasn't what she wanted at all! Dammit, what had happened to her fierce resolve last night?
For a moment, she was sure he looked at her with something akin to pure longing. Almost to the point of pain. But before she could blink and ask him what was wrong, it was gone. Chat Noir shook his head and took a deep breath as he walked over to her.
"Princess," he said, taking her hand and kissing it again. "You are as sweet as the pastries you sell. But I could never do that to you. Not when my heart belongs to another."
He looked at her through his unfairly-long eyelashes and Marinette flushed again. Damn, he'd gotten good at spouting those poetic lines. Even ones as cheesy as that. And again, she should've known he'd turn her down. He'd had fangirls throwing themselves at him for years now. What made her think it'd be different with her? She hadn't even told him her secret yet!
Part of her wondered if she really wanted to do this, or if she was just looking for a way out of it. Being Ladybug wasn't bad, after all. The freedom, the strength, knowing she was doing something right…. Her heart clenched as the image of Chat impaled again flashed through her mind.
No, the Miraculous was doing something right. She'd nearly gotten her partner killed. This needed to stop. Now.
"Then, how about just as a friend?" she asked, drawing her hand away.
"Aren't we friends already?" he asked, mock-pouting a bit.
"I mean, if you ever need to talk to someone about… stuff that happens… with the akuma attacks…."
The smile melted off his face and his eyes hardened. "You saw what happened during the attack yesterday, didn't you."
She gulped. "Yes." Up close and personally, actually.
"Gǒu shǐ, I told them not to run it," he hissed. He sighed again. "Sorry, princess, but I gotta go. It looks like Alya and I need to have a chat."
"Alya didn't run it," she said quickly. "Neither did any of the stations. They said it was too… gory."
"Too true," he muttered under his breath. He started pacing, then stopped and cocked his head at her. "Wait, then how did you see it?"
"I was there," she admitted softly. She braced herself as he went white. Surely that was a big enough hint—
"Qīngwā cāo de liúmáng!"
"CHAT!" Marinette exclaimed, torn between scolding him and laughing at the strange phrase he'd just uttered. He stopped in his frantic pacing to look at her.
"You understood that? I thought your Chinese was bad!"
She settled on giving him a flat stare. "You should hear some of the expletives my mother comes up with when she's burns herself on the ovens."
He grinned at her sheepishly. "Um, I'm sorry, excuse my language? Wait, this doesn't take away from—WHERE WERE YOU?" He grabbed her by the shoulders. "I DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY THERE! I'D HAVE GOTTEN YOU OUT IF I HAD!"
"Chat, just listen—"
"AND WHY WERE YOU THERE? I SWEAR, IF ALYA PUT YOU UP TO—!"
"IT WASN'T ALYA!" she finally yelled over him. "I WAS CLOSER THAN SHE WAS!"
Chat froze and she watched as he searched her face while he calculated that out in his mind. He slowly released her and backed up a bit. Alya had been close yesterday. Very close. Too close, considering he and Ladybug had had to force her to get back several times. Marinette gulped. Maybe now he'd take her hints.
"Marinette," he said slowly, trying to keep his temper down, "if this is some fangirl initiation ritual—"
"You know better than that," she snapped. He closed his eyes.
"I have to go." He turned to leave, stalking towards her balcony. Oh, for crying out loud. She couldn't even reveal her identity correctly?
She had wanted to establish the idea of a friendship with Marinette before springing her reveal on him, just in case he reacted badly, but decided to come back later, but…. She took a deep breath. Looks like we're doing this the hard way.
"Chat Noir, look at me! Tikki, spots on!"
Even as the magic washed over her, she saw Chat Noir's back go rigid as he refused to turn and look. For a few seconds, it seemed like he wasn't even breathing, but then his hands started flexing like he wanted to claw her. Or choke her. Or maybe try to ignore her completely and flee out the hatch. Finally, he took a deep, steadying breath, and slowly turned to face her.
"Well, hey, Bugaboo," he said cheerfully, giving himself away as he nervously licked his lips. "Have you seen Marinette? I swear she was just here…."
"I'm sorry, Chat," she said quietly. "I couldn't take it anymore."
"You—you couldn't," he flailed around wildly, as though looking for an answer from the room. "You couldn't take WHAT, exactly?"
"This. You. Me. Us. Dancing around and secret identities and never—"
"One rule, Ladybug! One fucking rule," he snarled.
"I know."
"Do you?" he snapped. "Do you know what happens next?"
"I lose my powers," she said simply. He stared at her.
"And you're okay with that?" he asked, aghast.
"You'll get a new Ladybug," she told him, trying to keep her voice steady. "One who's up to the job." He sputtered at her, but she continued. "And it won't be like before, Chat. I'll keep my memories. I can help train her—"
"Train her?!"
"And I'll be able to be here for you both whenever you need—"
"FIVE YEARS!" he finally screamed at her. "FIVE FUCKING YEARS, AND YOU EXPECT ME TO JUST LET YOU WALK AWAY—"
"I just told you, I'll still be here!" she cried, clenching her fists. "I'll be able to help you two in-between fights!"
"YOU THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ANYBODY ELSE, KNOWING HOW EASILY YOU GAVE UP ON ME?"
"This isn't easy—I ALMOST LOST YOU!" Ladybug screamed back at him. "I NEARLY LET YOU DIE, CHAT! I COULD BARELY SEE THE DAMN AKUMA, I WAS CRYING SO HARD! I SLIPPED ON YOUR BLOOD WHEN I CALLED FOR THE CURE!" He froze in his tracks, staring at her and she faltered, clenching her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. "God, I was so scared it wasn't going to work…. I love you too much. There, I said it. I love you. I love you and it's distracting me. I can't concentrate during battles anymore. I'm too focused on you!"
"You love—?" Chat stared at her, mouth open, for a moment. Then he visibly shook himself out of it. "No. If you loved me, you wouldn't be abandoning me!"
"I just told you, I—"
"NO! No, we're not talking about your lame excuses right now!"
"It's not lame! I just… can't take it anymore. Knowing I hold your life in my hands… And I've failed you! I've watched you die… so many times, Chat." She said weakly.
You've always brought me back," he muttered, determined to continue their argument.
"So far. What happens when I'm not strong enough? If I make a mistake?" she whimpered. "You keep taking the damn hits."
"That's how it has to be, Miraculous Ladybug!" his voice was trembling.
"I know!" she sobbed. "I know, I know and I hate it. I know why you do it and I can't argue and I can't do anything but my job and I can't even comfort you afterwards because of our stupid, fucking timers!" she burst into tears. She was only a little surprised when she felt him wrap his arms around her tightly, pulling her close.
"Oh, Bug, is that what this is all about? You were worried about me?"
"I can't help it anymore. I fell in love with you, despite everything I've tried to stop it," she admitted, clutching him. She felt him chuckle around her and hit his chest in frustration. "It's not funny! It's not supposed to happen for a reason! I can't get distracted! Otherwise… we get… problems like yesterday," she swallowed, trying not remember it.
"Aww, did I distract you, my lady?" Chat teased, pulling back just enough so he could wiggle his eyebrows at her suggestively.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, getting a bit angry of how flippant he was being. "And don't you dare tell me it was nothing, Chat Noir," she said, her voice shaking. "I heard you scream."
"Yeah, no, it sucked," he admitted, pulling her back against him and tucking her under his chin. "But I didn't mean to scare you into giving up your Miraculous…." Ladybug felt herself relax, despite everything, her own arms going around him automatically. Oh God, just being in his arms was wonderful. Safe. Warm. Thrilling. She was having a hard time remembering why she'd denied herself this for so long.
I should've given into him a long time ago, she thought wistfully. And now, when we're about to end things…. I just… I can't lose him. Not forever. I'd rather watch him from afar with someone else than witness him dying because of me again.
"This is my decision, Chat," she said, feeling her heart ache. "I want to help you still, and I know you'll be a good partner for the next—"
"Wǒ de mā hé tā de fēngkuáng de wàishēng dōu, are you still talking about that?"
"Chat Noir!" she cried, pushing him back slightly. "I am going to wash your mouth out—!"
"—You are the only Ladybug for me!" he exclaimed, his arms around her tightening. "Dammit, Plagg, claws in!"
"Chat, NO!" she shouted, quickly clamping her hands over her eyes against the flash of green. For good measure, she closed her eyes behind her hands as well. Chat let her go and sniggered, pulling her hands away from her face. Stubbornly, she kept her eyes closed as she inwardly swore at herself. She should've known. She should've fucking known! He was so damn impulsive and stubborn…. She felt his hand lift her chin so that she'd be looking directly at him if she...
"Open your eyes, Ladybug," he teased. Part of her noticed that his voice sounded slightly different, but still terrifyingly familiar.
"NO! No! No, no, no, no!" she cried, stepping away from him. He caught her by the arms and held her there. "Chat, that's not—this isn't how—PUT YOUR MASK BACK ON!"
"Nope," he said saucily. "If you get to quit, then so do I."
"No!" she cried, as he pulled her closer. She couldn't see him, but she could feel his warmth against her and smell the deep, musky scent of him every time she breathed. Ladybug tried to pull away from him again, but he stubbornly kept his grip on her arms; forcing them down, away from her face, and keeping her with him. She was sure she could pull away from him if she really wanted to (she was still transformed, after all), but it might hurt him if she did. Especially if he was being stubborn like this. She started shaking. "Chat, please… I didn't mean for you to— I'll still be here! I still want to help you! It was me who couldn't do her job right anymore… dammit, Chat, I know how much this means to you!"
"Do you?" he asked quietly, amused.
"You told me once, remember?" she said desperately. "Being Chat Noir is everything to you! Your only freedom! The reason you get up every morning! You love it! Remember? Doing good works! Saving people! And the jokes… and fun—"
"—And you," he finished, kissing her temple. "And really, none of the rest of it matters if I don't get to share it with you, my lady. Now open your eyes."
"Chat, please, just think about this for a minute…," she whimpered. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! She was letting this go because she wasn't strong enough! She couldn't take it! He could take it! He loved being a superhero! She couldn't take all that from him!
"You think I haven't dreamed of this moment for years now? Finding out who you are?" he laughed. "Remember our first year? When Plagg here oh-so-conveniently 'forgot' to tell me that revealing ourselves would make us lose the magic? I was so confused why you wouldn't tell me… then he finally confessed to wanting to let the magic fade, just so he could go back to sleep, the lazy little shit—"
"Yeah, screw you too, kid," an unfamiliar voice injected. Ladybug could almost hear his eyes rolling. That must be his kwami.
"—and I had to go tripping over myself to apologize to you for even suggesting it in the first place?"
"I remember," she said quietly. Chat had been so red that day, trying to explain that his kwami had never fully explained the magic to him, and no, he didn't want her to tell him her identity anymore because he didn't want to lose her as a partner. Ladybug had just smiled and told him that Tikki had already explained everything to her, including the part where her counterpart was a lazy, laidback type who was probably letting his Chosen "wing it." Part of her really wanted to open her eyes now, just to see this infamous other kwami for herself, but….
"Even back then, you didn't want to lose the magic," she reminded her partner.
"I didn't want to lose you," he corrected.
"Chat Noir," she groaned. She was going to give in if he kept it up with those damn lines.
"Ladybug," he said mockingly in the same tone. He chuckled at her. "God, what a pair of idiots we are. Open up your eyes, milady. I've got a surprise for you…." He sang teasingly.
"I won't!" she said stubbornly, digging in her heels. "Where's your kwami? Plagg, was it? Plagg, tell him what a bad idea this is!"
"Oh, I dunno," the unfamiliar voice drawled. "This is pretty frickin' hilarious from my point of view."
She choked at the kwami's nonchalance. Tikki hadn't been kidding!
"Sorry, Bugaboo," Chat said, sounding smug. "I got the kwami who doesn't really care about the rules."
"Wuss," Plagg said.
"Glutton," Chat shot back automatically. It sounded like an old argument. Dammit, she was losing this fight!
"Well, then… Tikki! Tikki, spots off!" she cried, trying to find an ally. She let the transformation take her and felt a little bit of sadness. It would have to be her last one, after all. She firmly decided to ignore Chat's sudden intake of breath as she de-transformed. Right now, she had to save him from himself. "Tikki, tell him to transform again! Please!" she cried, desperately, keeping her eyes firmly closed. "The new Ladybug will need him!"
"Interesting twist, isn't it?" she heard Plagg remark. To her dismay, she heard Tikki giggle.
"Sorry, Marinette, but it's his choice. Just like it was yours," her kwami said.
"Three extra wheels when we get home, Plagg, if you make yourself scarce right now," Chat said lowly. His tone sent shivers down Marinette's back.
"Done! C'mon, Tikki!"
Marinette heard Tikki giggle again and then had a feeling she'd been abandoned and left alone with this man. And he wasn't planning to leave until he revealed himself to her. She trembled as she felt Chat pull her closer to him again and run his fingers through her hair.
"Plagg said the glamour magic would make it so we wouldn't recognize each other until we actively tried to show somebody, but… damn, I feel like I should've known. Look at me, Marinette," he said softly. Oh God. His voice was so familiar. She knew him from somewhere. She was going to recognize it any second here and then he'd be totally screwed! His magic would fade until he wasn't able to become Chat Noir anymore, despite how much he loved it.
"Please, don't," she whimpered. "You'll hate me. You'll hate me for taking this from you."
"No, I won't! It's my choice. Now, do I need to tell you my name, or are you just gonna look—"
She quickly jerked her arms out of his grasp and clamped her hands around her ears. She felt him laugh as he pressed his forehead against hers.
"God, you're so stubborn," he said fondly. To her dismay, she could still hear him. "As stubborn as the day I met you."
Damn straight, she thought, and started singing the newest Jagged Stone single to keep herself from hearing any more of what he thought he had to say. Eventually he'd give up and go home, right? Patience had never been his greatest virtue. She could use that!
She felt him laugh and put his hands on her hips, starting to sway to the music. Soon he was pulling her close, gently-but-firmly guiding her to dance with him as he started singing along with her. She found herself following him easily, hypnotized by the slow-rocking motion and the low hum that was his voice. Her voice caught as her heart ached again.
Oh God, he was so perfect. So wonderful. She wanted to open her eyes. Hell, she wished she could give him back those five years somehow. Maybe tell him that she loved him back when they started all this. But, back then it wouldn't be true. She'd still had Adrien back then. Even though a part of her had known, even back then, just how unobtainable the model was. Ugh. It'd certainly taken her long enough to figure out her own damn heart.
"You missed the second verse, princess," she heard Chat mutter in her ears as his hand came up to brush away tears she hadn't even realized had fallen. Her breath caught. She could still hear him just fine, dammit! She took a breath so she could sing louder, but froze when she felt his lips brush her cheek.
"What are you afraid of, Bug?" he asked, almost directly in her ear. "Is it me?"
"Of course not!" she exclaimed. "I love you! I just want you to be happy! And you're happiest as Chat Noir!"
"I'm happiest with you," he countered. Marinette snorted in disbelief.
Who would possibly pick her over a lifetime of superpowers and saving the world? To her surprise, he kissed her cheek, just long enough to not be platonic.
"You can't be doubting my feelings for you?" he murmured against her skin as he kissed away her tears. "I've been telling you I was in love with you for years now."
Apparently, he would. He would pick her….
"You've been in love with Ladybug," Marinette choked out, her hands falling from her ears unconsciously. "And soon I won't be Ladybug anymore. Please, Chat. It would be wrong to deny you the chance to fall in love with the new girl."
He snorted. "Not likely."
"You deserve someone as amazing as you are, Chat," she said. "Someone who loves the thrill of the Miraculouses and the call of battle. I've just… gotten old and worn."
"You're eighteen," he deadpanned.
"I'm well aware," she said, just as dryly. "And I need to start thinking about university and internships soon, not just what those jerk-critics say every time we pull a move they don't like. Or whether the news anchors think I'm gaining weight because I'm pregnant or some crap like that because they can't report on anything more interesting."
"Mmm, that would be interesting," he murmured.
"Oh, don't you dare start," she growled, unable to glare at him because she still refused to look. "I've had the last three reporters asking me when I'm due. Then the whole Ladyblog blew up on fat-shaming when I told them I wasn't. Alya had a feminist field day!"
Chat laughed, kissing her hair. "I can always Cataclysm the news building."
"Don't tempt me."
"Maybe you just need a pick-me-up," he suggested softly. "A new relationship between us would keep things interesting, no?" His hands ran down her sides sensually. She shivered. She couldn't deny his idea was appealing. And she really did want to be with him. But….
"I've already revealed myself, Chat," she reminded him. "I'm going to lose the magic soon."
"All the more reason for you to open your eyes, Marinette," he murmured, leaning in close to her again.
"No. And I will sing again," she warned him, bringing her hands back up to her ears. "Loudly and more obnoxiously than before!"
"You're really not gonna let me tell you my name?"
"Nope," she said firmly, letting the "p" pop for emphasis.
"It's my secret to share," he reminded her.
"And I'm doing this for you," she argued right back.
He hummed and pulled away from her, but since she was still close enough, she could feel him digging in his pocket for something. What was he—? He grabbed one of her hands, and she started to sing as long and as loudly as she needed to, until he got the hint that he was not going to tell her his name, damn it, but instead of whispering into her ear, she felt him press something hard into her hand, closing her fingers around it.
"What? What are—?" She stilled, barely stopping herself from opening her eyes to see what he'd given her. Beads? A string of beads? She traced the engraving on one with her thumb and felt her breath leave her in a rush.
Oh God.
No way.
He'd been closer than she'd ever thought possible.
The charm fell from her nerveless fingers as her hands fell away from her ears. They didn't need to be covered. He'd tricked her, damn him, and she was too shocked to be mad about it. She felt a breeze as Chat quickly moved to catch the beads before they hit the ground.
"Hey, careful! This is one of my most prized possessions! I've kept it with me every day since you gave it to me," Chat confessed as she heard him put it back in his pocket. "It may have gotten a bit beaten up over time, but I've tried to take good care of it. My Lucky Charm."
There was only one boy she'd given a Lucky Charm like that to.
She couldn't breathe.
"Now, say my name, Mari, so I can kiss you already."
No. No. No, it wasn't possible.
"Adrien?"
He kissed her.
End Chapter 2.
A/N: Edited to include the actual Chinese words and characters. Yes, Chat's swearing is actually Chinese. Well, sorta. The phrases are taken from one of my other favorite shows: Firefly, (I'm not associated with them either!) where they swear very creatively at each other in Chinese. If he ever watched it, you know Adrien would be all over that.
If you type these into Google Translate, you'll mostly get a bunch of nonsense, but I have been assured that they got actual speakers of Mandarin to come up with these phrases. And quite honestly, as someone who uses Google, I'll trust the actual people. Yeah, you're welcome for the pronunciations. Use this knowledge wisely.
Gǒu shǐ (Go-se): shit (boring, but standard) 狗屎
Qīngwā cāo de liúmáng (Ching-wah TSAO duh liou mahng): Frog-Humping Son of a Bitch (I needed something shocking and creative.) 青蛙操的流氓
Wǒ de mā hé tā de fēngkuáng de wàishēng dōu (Wuh duh ma huh tah duh fong kwong duh wai shung): Holy Mother of God and All Her Wacky Nephews (My personal favorite.) 我的媽和她的瘋狂的外甥都
